How ya’ doing in 2016?

Has your enthusiasm disappeared for a brand new YOU in 2016 as easily as the confetti was swept up from ushering in the new year?

Are you feeling that your goals for 2016 are looking really big and unachievable?

Are you wising you hadn’t said out loud that you wanted to learn a new skill, overcome a phobia, or kick a habit? I’ll tell you a secret…it’s a good thing when you say your dreams and desires out loud!

A brand new year! I’m feeling goose bumps and chills and it’s not residual from the bubbles I enjoyed on New Year’s Eve–it’s excitement about all the glorious possibilities next year holds. Just think of it, each morning a chance to create something brand new–a brand new YOU!

Long ago, when my prize possessions were a pair of white go-go boots and my transistor radio, I wrote a high school paper about what I wanted to do with my life. My career choices included: dancer, actress and secretary. Although I lived in a small town and my formal training had consisted of Square Dance lessons in the 6th grade, I loved moving to music and thought it would be a wonderful way to spend my life. Of course, it was ridiculous for anyone to consider my acting dream with any confidence as I was always seen as the shy, quiet one. The fact that I’d managed to land a part in the senior class play, and pulled it off, was brushed aside as just a fluke.

A secretary was the most likely path for someone who had no particular “realistic” ambitions. All my journals and my humor column for the Adams Tiger Tales did not qualify me as any serious writer. I enrolled at the local Junior College to earn a One Year Secretarial Certificate, got a job in the Credit Department of the “company” in our company town, and resigned to live my life. Along the way I got married, started a family, got a college degree, moved across the country–twice–and survived emotional and physical challenges.

My skills as a secretary have served me well in earning a living and allowing me time to follow my heart. I pursued dance lessons as an adult and thoroughly enjoyed them. I performed in a couple of recitals; including one with my 3-year-old daughter! I performed in several productions of the local Community Theatre and had the time of my life. All the while I was writing as a volunteer for my church as well as parenting newsletters and writing in my journal. When I reflect on where I am now, I am amazed at the synchronicity of it all and grateful that I have been blessed with everything I ever asked for — and more!

I am living my dream as Your Writing Mentor, I mentor reluctant writers to share their stories, I move gracefully and confidently across stages, and empower other women to speak up to let their voices be heard in the world.

My wish for you in 2016 is that you realize your childhood wonder in every joyous new day to come…

About Mary E. Knippel

Mary E Knippel, Writer Unleashed and the founder of Your Writing Mentor supports women to take pen in hand to unleash their story worth writing...to leverage their impact through their stories...reclaim their voices...to polish their words so that they sparkle and shine from the start...and go from making dinner to making a difference. Contact her at mary (at) yourwritingmentor.com.